Francenia McClain was born May 24, 1930 in Florence, South Carolina to the late Rev. Lemuel Ishmael and Sarah Spears Ishmael. She was the 9th of 10 siblings and is preceded in death by all of them. She was baptized at an early age. She went to Savannah Grove School in Florence County, SC.

On August 5, 1948, Francenia married the late Hosea McClain, Sr. They were married for 62 years until parted by death in 2010. She relocated to Washington, DC in 1953 with her husband, and was a member of several area churches, including Bible Way Temple and Campbell AME Church. She joined Turner Memorial AME Church in 1962 under the leadership of Rev. S. E. Guiles. She was a member of the Missionary Society and a Class Leader until her health started to fail.

For several years she managed the dry-cleaning services for the Irene Apartments complex owned by the late Abe Pollin in Chevy Chase, MD until her first grandchild was born. She was known as the official "McClain" baby sitter for all of her grand and great-grandchildren. Her main interest in life was taking care of her family. She also enjoyed gardening, shopping, and watching the soaps.

Francenia leaves to cherish her memory: 3 daughters: Marie Snowden, Sylvia Carroll, and Geraldine McClain; 1 son: Hosea McClain, Jr; 3 grandchildren: Diania Robinson (Leon), Jaymal Carroll, and Gazmyn McClain; 2 great-grandchildren: Tianna Snowden and Jalen Robinson; 1 sister-in-law: Mrs. Carrie Mae McClain (Florence, SC); 1 goddaughter: Velmenia Stanley and a host of other relatives and friends.